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| PDP questions possibility of delimitation | | | Early Times Report
Poonch, June 9: Peoples Democratic Party State secretary Adv Mohd Mahroof Khan Saturday claimed that delimitation was not possible constitutionally at the present juncture.
"Ideally the delimitation exercise is to be undertaken after every ten years after the results of census are notified. The constitutional provision in this regard, however is recommendatory and exercise has been undertaken on a few times during last seventy years. Having said that, the reports that MHA is toying with the idea of undertaking delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir before much delayed and overdue Assembly elections is a cause of concern as the exercise would be without legal authority and in gross violation of Constitution and law.", Khan said.
"Section 47, Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir provides for readjustment of 'extent and boundaries' of the constituencies in accordance with law. The Jammu and Kashmir Representation of Peoples Act 1957 (Sec. 3) is the law enacted to govern the matter. The Proviso added to Section 47 of the Constitution by 29th Amendment of 23rd April 2002 has frozen delimitation exercise till the results of first census taken after 2026 are published. Corresponding amendment has been made in Sec 3 in Representation of Peoples Act as well. It is not that the amendments have come from nowhere. These were preceded by amendment to Articles 82 and 170 by Constitution 84th Amendment of 2001 whereby delimitation was frozen till results of 2026 were published. It follows that not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in all the states as well as in case of the House of People, the delimitation is frozen in effect till 2031 i.e the results of 2030 census are made public," he said.
Mahroof Khan said, "Once the delimitation is frozen as regards all the states, there is no reason to single out Jammu and Kashmir for such an exercise more so when the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir does not permit delimitation and the Constitutional mechanism to pave way for delimitation is not in place. The delimitation at present can be undertaken only after amendment to section 47 of the Constitution. The amendment can be effected only by the elected legislature of the state with requisite majority. The governor does not have power to amend the Constitution. In terms of Article 356 that has come into play after the imposition of presidents' rule, the legislative power can be exercised by the Parliament, if so declared by the president. In terms of Article 357 the Parliament can confer on the president power of the state legislature to "make laws". |
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